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Stand-alone novels Comet Sedai Send a noteboard - 01/09/2009 02:31:07 AM
Seeing as the 'Stand-alone' subthread was my favorite, I'm going to start it off myself this time :)

Here is a list to get things going:

Lions of Al'Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay--beautiful, lyrical, alterna-history; no apparent 'magic' system. Marvelous.

Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams--My aunt gave me this book when I was a preteen because it is a fantasy story about cats, and I was a 'cat person' and despite this dubious introduction it is a terrific 'coming-of-age' story, including a 'story of the how the world came to be' from the point of view of cats. I really enjoyed it. It's the reason I later read TW's Memory, Sorry, and Thorn series, which is very different.

Watership Down by Richard Adams--I read this after Tailchaser, mainly because the reviews printed within Tailchaser kept saying it was 'Watership Down with cats' (which it isn't, really). So, Watership Down is an adventure story about rabbits struggling to survive when their home is destoryed, and it too is beautifully told. "...where the first primroses were beginning to bloom"

The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle--As great as the cartoon movie was, the book is 10 times better. And it's got more satirical bite.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman--it's inconceivable not to love it. Also, it isn't a book about animals or with an animal in the title.

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain--Arthurian legend meets biting social commentary. Also not a book about animals.

Neverwhere and Stardust and Coraline by Neil Gaiman. Three excellent stand-alones I'd never heard of before wotmania. I actually listed to a CD version of Stardust, read by Gaiman, and it was excellent.

OK, that's enough for now. Your turns.

The chief difficulty Alice found at first was in managing her flamingo.
This message last edited by Comet Sedai on 01/09/2009 at 02:32:39 AM
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So you've read X and you want to read more books like it: Part Two Larry - 30/08/2009 06:35:01 PM 3119 Views
Janny Wurts has a couple of epic fantasy series. Rebekah - 30/08/2009 06:57:52 PM 1444 Views
I like The Cycle of Fire. *NM* StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:15:04 AM 780 Views
Well, here are a couple I don't think have been mentioned: Screen Name - 11/09/2009 09:46:21 AM 1428 Views
Historical fiction. Chas - 30/08/2009 07:00:35 PM 1354 Views
Patrick O'Brian snoopcester - 30/08/2009 07:03:35 PM 1284 Views
You know Chas - 30/08/2009 07:08:50 PM 1255 Views
REally? snoopcester - 30/08/2009 07:11:06 PM 1516 Views
Re: REally? Chas - 30/08/2009 07:19:38 PM 1309 Views
Did you read the Horatio Hornblower series? Tashmere - 02/09/2009 12:17:00 AM 1223 Views
Oh, there are Hornblower books? Legolas - 02/09/2009 12:24:31 AM 1215 Views
They're very enjoyable. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:10:44 AM 721 Views
I saw the first of the mini-series. Good casting. Tashmere - 02/09/2009 02:44:48 PM 1438 Views
Tash has it..these books are wonderful. *NM* Missa Sedai - 25/09/2009 01:30:34 AM 825 Views
The first half. I've never been able to find the rest of them. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:10:11 AM 702 Views
It would be worth it to watch for the rest. Tashmere - 02/09/2009 02:46:21 PM 1474 Views
A couple that I enjoy Jacob - 31/08/2009 04:06:52 PM 1553 Views
I've read the Gates of Fire. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:29:42 PM 1401 Views
These two rock. Vodalus - 31/08/2009 06:15:14 PM 1364 Views
Perhaps not exactly the same... StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:16:18 AM 1078 Views
Wars of Light and Shadow definantly need to be added to the list *NM* Ryan - 30/08/2009 07:04:15 PM 711 Views
Re: Wars of Light and Shadow definantly need to be added to the list marekj - 31/08/2009 11:35:00 PM 1350 Views
Slash, please! rebelaessedai - 30/08/2009 08:13:33 PM 1389 Views
I'm assuming you already know about this one. Chas - 31/08/2009 01:44:39 AM 1462 Views
Oh, and Skin Folk Chas - 31/08/2009 01:52:58 AM 1387 Views
I knew about A Companion to Wolves. rebelaessedai - 31/08/2009 03:22:38 AM 1385 Views
I guess I need to broaden my horizons. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:24:07 PM 1316 Views
LOL! rebelaessedai - 02/09/2009 03:28:33 PM 1457 Views
So, I've read Shadow of the Wind ascott4321 - 30/08/2009 10:06:30 PM 1380 Views
I haven't read that one yet kcf - 31/08/2009 05:39:52 PM 1395 Views
Re: I haven't read that one yet ascott4321 - 31/08/2009 07:26:16 PM 1274 Views
Which aspect of the book are you talking about in particular? Legolas - 31/08/2009 06:34:26 PM 1526 Views
maybe various combinations of all those? ascott4321 - 31/08/2009 07:20:57 PM 1414 Views
The Historian Crink - 05/12/2011 04:56:40 AM 1303 Views
Thanks for your contribution, but not many people are likely to find it here. Legolas - 05/12/2011 10:14:04 PM 1319 Views
Then mayhaps a new thread? Crink - 06/12/2011 04:50:33 AM 1317 Views
Re: So you've read X and you want to read more books like it: Part Two sarasedai - 30/08/2009 10:20:05 PM 1359 Views
The Holy Grail of recommendation requests. Chas - 31/08/2009 12:59:50 AM 1579 Views
give Ken Scholes a shot kcf - 31/08/2009 05:37:11 PM 1452 Views
Will do. Chas - 31/08/2009 11:26:57 PM 1426 Views
I didn't think the characters were particularly week or one-dimensional kcf - 01/09/2009 03:42:06 AM 1401 Views
That's good to know. *NM* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:20:40 AM 695 Views
Well, Kay is very distinct... jh - 31/08/2009 11:37:45 PM 1370 Views
I've read the first one. Chas - 02/09/2009 02:15:38 AM 1314 Views
Well, it depends on which aspect of Kay you are looking at. StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:19:42 AM 1197 Views
comedic sci-fi mystery? *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 31/08/2009 03:57:52 AM 714 Views
Dirk Gently kcf - 31/08/2009 05:34:55 PM 1341 Views
Be careful with Rankin though Stephen - 31/08/2009 08:19:00 PM 1375 Views
I'd have said John Zakour and Lawrence Ganem *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:16:06 AM 651 Views
Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* *NM* Nyrende - 31/08/2009 04:49:51 AM 690 Views
Re: Something like Michelle West's Sun Sword? *NM* marekj - 31/08/2009 11:36:31 PM 1337 Views
The Cast In series... Nyrende - 01/09/2009 03:28:12 AM 1307 Views
i've always kind of wanted to make a website that does this sorta thing Mr. Gnome - 31/08/2009 10:12:26 AM 1410 Views
that would be awesome. *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:17:36 AM 630 Views
Librarything does it Camilla - 21/09/2009 04:02:54 PM 1372 Views
Their system isn't great. jh - 26/09/2009 10:14:30 PM 1312 Views
Re: Their system isn't great. Camilla - 27/09/2009 10:07:53 AM 1403 Views
Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... jh - 27/09/2009 04:34:07 PM 1276 Views
Re: Yeah, but the accuracy is way off.... Camilla - 28/09/2009 08:51:14 AM 1367 Views
Human error? You are being way too nice. Btw, I have a link for you. jh - 29/09/2009 10:02:35 AM 1636 Views
Hehehehe. Heheheheheheheheheeheheheeheeheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheh Camilla - 29/09/2009 10:05:26 AM 1391 Views
Something with a good magic system. *NM* Kronin al'Sulc - 31/08/2009 01:57:00 PM 710 Views
gotta be more specific kcf - 31/08/2009 05:35:47 PM 1330 Views
Something in-depth, and well used. Kronin al'Sulc - 31/08/2009 07:16:54 PM 1207 Views
Have you read Coldfire? Legolas - 31/08/2009 11:33:18 PM 1306 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? marekj - 31/08/2009 11:41:36 PM 1423 Views
Re: Have you read Coldfire? ascott4321 - 01/09/2009 12:15:48 AM 1286 Views
Ah, yes, now that you mention it. Legolas - 01/09/2009 12:17:41 AM 1454 Views
Re: Something with a good magic system. Jove - 01/09/2009 01:23:07 AM 1404 Views
I really liked the magic in: StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:23:50 AM 1176 Views
I like what Sanderson did in the Mistborn series *NM* Mossman - 26/09/2009 02:01:55 AM 656 Views
Re: Hi, I want a book that seems like it was written on acid? mother of pearl - 01/09/2009 12:24:01 AM 1377 Views
Re: Hi, I want a book that seems like it was written on acid? Corporal Crusty - 01/09/2009 07:08:23 AM 1277 Views
Not really sci fi or fantasy Nyrende - 01/09/2009 08:30:45 AM 1397 Views
Try M. John Harrison. *NM* jh - 01/09/2009 01:49:43 PM 650 Views
Move Under Ground by Nick Mamatas kcf - 02/09/2009 12:21:32 AM 1360 Views
Meditations in Green by Stephen Wright Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:20:45 AM 1254 Views
Have you read any William S. Burroughs yet? Larry - 07/09/2009 11:12:42 PM 1317 Views
People who say use the phrase "on acid" have rarely tried acid Ouranid - 29/09/2009 03:07:45 AM 1359 Views
Agree with this list... I would have typed one very similar. *NM* Jacob - 01/10/2009 03:21:31 PM 694 Views
Stand-alone novels Comet Sedai - 01/09/2009 02:31:07 AM 1329 Views
Master of Whitestorm ~ Janny Wurts Rebekah - 01/09/2009 01:52:27 PM 1368 Views
Lavinia by Ursula LeGuin. *edit* Chas - 02/09/2009 01:19:54 AM 1196 Views
Here are a few that I enjoyed Bryce - 03/09/2009 03:09:35 AM 1427 Views
Re: Stand-alone novels Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:53:46 AM 1346 Views
Well, yes and no and sequels Comet Sedai - 03/09/2009 12:46:50 PM 1286 Views
Re: Well, yes and no and sequels Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 02:18:40 PM 1564 Views
Regarding Tigana (spoilers) Comet Sedai - 03/09/2009 03:33:08 PM 1671 Views
Re: Regarding Tigana (spoilers) Kylia Skydancer - 04/09/2009 01:09:04 AM 1371 Views
Pretty much. *NM* Chas - 04/09/2009 03:22:26 AM 677 Views
By definition almost all of Kay's books are standalones. Chas - 03/09/2009 11:54:16 PM 1233 Views
All except for these. *looks amused* *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 04/09/2009 01:09:57 AM 630 Views
*shrug* I probably should have said half his books are standalones. Chas - 04/09/2009 03:21:25 AM 1246 Views
I'll just copy/paste this 2006 list posted on the OF Blog (all but one are available as one-vol.) Larry - 07/09/2009 11:10:26 PM 1102 Views
Various Recommendations Meona Goodday - 03/09/2009 06:00:39 AM 1450 Views
hehe, so you like Lois's fantasy too eh? *NM* Kylia Skydancer - 03/09/2009 10:57:37 AM 580 Views
Yep yep! *NM* Meona Goodday - 03/09/2009 01:46:53 PM 680 Views
Have either of you read her Vorkosigan/Barrayar series? *NM* Tashmere - 04/09/2009 09:20:59 PM 595 Views
Nope. Have you? Meona Goodday - 05/09/2009 12:39:14 AM 1502 Views
~Forces self to remain calm and understated~ Tashmere - 05/09/2009 03:22:37 AM 1820 Views
~holds out library card~ Meona Goodday - 05/09/2009 03:34:25 AM 1807 Views
~Grins like a fool~ Tashmere - 06/09/2009 01:54:22 AM 1066 Views
Hehehe Meona Goodday - 06/09/2009 04:15:48 AM 1242 Views
I remember you!! Tashmere - 08/09/2009 03:58:53 AM 1220 Views
Re: I remember you!! Meona Goodday - 08/09/2009 02:37:11 PM 1213 Views
Kylia Skydancer - 08/09/2009 07:33:17 AM 1161 Views
You are interesting now that you have finally answered. Tashmere - 08/09/2009 11:20:50 PM 1086 Views
I've read Diplomatic Immunity... Kylia Skydancer - 08/09/2009 07:30:52 AM 1147 Views
No, no, no. You have to read them in order! Tashmere - 08/09/2009 11:18:47 PM 1189 Views
Anything similar to Neil Gaiman's American Gods? *NM* Soggy - 07/09/2009 10:34:45 PM 616 Views
Ekaterina Sedia, The Secret History of Moscow Larry - 07/09/2009 11:03:18 PM 1263 Views
Kate Griffin, A Madness of Angels Perdita - 19/10/2009 11:23:43 PM 1468 Views
Since I'm now a big fan of Angela Carter's work... Larry - 07/09/2009 11:04:30 PM 1370 Views
Well... StoneDogAiel - 08/09/2009 02:26:31 AM 1166 Views
No, I haven't read anything by her. jh - 23/09/2009 08:53:27 PM 1374 Views
I think you'd enjoy some of Angela Carter's works; I've managed to get one at this site to enjoy her Larry - 28/09/2009 12:19:39 AM 1373 Views
Perhaps. I will see after I finish my project. jh - 28/09/2009 06:19:31 PM 1395 Views
Horror Ouranid - 08/12/2009 03:07:00 PM 1294 Views
Thomas Ligotti! Larry - 11/12/2009 05:32:31 AM 1369 Views
Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes is excellent. Rebekah - 05/06/2010 04:07:26 PM 1145 Views
If you want a spec fic/fantasyish book where characters actually tell each other what they know... Rebekah - 05/06/2010 04:39:01 PM 1145 Views
After two years, I wonder if we should revise this thread and edit in newer books. Thoughts? *NM* Larry - 20/11/2011 10:37:27 PM 607 Views
Probably better to start a new one, people aren't huge fans of reviving old threads... *NM* Legolas - 21/11/2011 10:21:31 PM 677 Views
These days, people here aren't fans of anything outside of expressing political opinions *NM* Larry - 22/11/2011 12:45:42 AM 601 Views
And Skyrim. Don't forget Skyrim! *NM* rebelaessedai - 08/12/2011 08:02:54 AM 620 Views
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